Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter IV. From the Kerguelen Isles to Prince Edward Island
Andherewasasanemantreatingthatfictionasareality.
Icouldnotanswerhim.IwasaskingmyselfwhatmannerofmanwasthisonewithwhomIhadtodeal.
“Youhaveheardmyquestion?”persistedthecaptain.
“Yes,yes,captain,certainly,butIamnotsurethatIquiteunderstand.”
“Iwillputittoyoumoreplainly.IaskyouwhetherinConnecticutyoupersonallyknewthePymfamilywholivedinNantucketIsland?ArthurPym’sfatherwasoneoftheprincipalmerchantsthere,hewasaNavycontractor.ItwashissonwhoembarkedintheadventureswhichherelatedwithhisownlipstoEdgarPoe—”
“Captain!Why,thatstoryisduetothepowerfulimaginationofourgreatpoet.Itisapureinvention.”
“So,then,youdon’tbelieveit,Mr.Jeorling?”saidthecaptain,shrugginghisshouldersthreetimes.
“NeitherInoranyotherpersonbelievesit,CaptainGuy,andyouarethefirstIhaveheardmaintainthatitwasanythingbutamereromance.”
“Listentome,then,Mr.Jeorling,foralthoughthis‘romance’—asyoucallit—appearedonlylastyear,itisnonethelessareality.Althoughelevenyearshaveelapsedsincethefactsoccurred,theyarenonethelesstrue,andwestillawaitthe‘word’ofanenigmawhichwillperhapsneverbesolved.”
Yes,hewasmad;butbygoodfortuneWestwastheretotakehisplaceascommanderoftheschooner.Ihadonlytolistentohim,andasIhadreadPoe’sromanceoverandoveragain,Iwascurioustohearwhatthecaptainhadtosayaboutit.
